You’ve got a souped-up PC and your desk kitted out, but you’re lacking in the audio department. Naturally, you’ll be thinking about which microphone to go for, especially if you’re a content creator or hardcore gamer. Having good quality audio is imperative to producing quality content and having the most enjoyable gaming experience.
The products from Elgato and HyperX include some excellent microphones that are very popular with users for their features and design. While both are USB microphones designed for similar uses, they have some key differences, mostly in their pickup patterns and overall audio quality. Look no further to get your answers regarding the Elgato Wave:3 vs HyperX QuadCast debate.
Elgato Wave:3 Vs HyperX QuadCast: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Elgato Wave:3 | HyperX QuadCast | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 280 g | 254 g |
| Sample rate | 96kHz | 48kHz |
| Audio | 24-bit | 16-bit |
| Lowest frequency | 70Hz | 20Hz |
| Highest frequency | 2000Hz | 2000Hz |
| Polar patterns | One | Four |
| Pop filter included? | No | Yes |
| Connectivity | Headphones, USB-C | Headphones, mini-USB |
| Price | $119.99 | $137.77 |
| Release date | June 18, 2020 | March 25, 2019 |
Elgato Wave:3 Vs HyperX QuadCast: What’s the Difference?
Sound
While it’s understandable to want a microphone that looks good, unsurprisingly, the biggest factor to consider is usually the sound quality. From content creation to gaming sessions, this is undoubtedly what most buyers are looking for.
Luckily, these microphones perform great in this department. The QuadCast produces quality sound and is particularly adept at producing clear and crisp vocals, making it more than suitable for your streaming needs. It’s not the cream of the crop when it comes to streaming or podcasting, but it’s definitely good enough for most users.
When considering the Wave:3, there’s a lot to love. This microphone beats out the competition by being able to record 24-bit audio at a 96kHz sample rate. In comparison, the QuadCast is capable of recording 16-bit audio at 48kHz.
It’s not the most noticeable contrast in the world, but listeners with a keen ear will be able to spot the difference. With the Wave:3 being essentially designed for picking up voices, this result is rather expected. The drawback of this is that the Wave:3 will produce larger audio files, so this is something to think about if you’re short on storage space.
Usage
Noting the overall audio quality of these microphones is all well and good, but you’re probably wondering how they stack up when it comes to activities such as listening to and recording music, streaming, as well as gaming.
The QuadCast is mostly intended for gaming use and, as such, can’t really be recommended for recording music. With four polar patterns to use, it’s disappointing that none of them really optimize this. Where the Stereo pattern misses out on some lower frequencies, the Cardioid pattern tends to do the opposite, producing too much bass.
- Cardioid condenser capsule
- Wave link app
- 24-bit/96kHz analog-to-digital converter
- Proprietary Clipguard technology
- Superior circuitry
For gaming, patterns other than Cardioid aren’t really necessary, but these might get some occasional use from some people, such as during team meetings or interviews. In these cases, the bi-directional pattern may come in handy.
Music is another area where the Wave:3 pulls ahead. The high-pass filter helps pick up higher frequencies better, which is useful for recording guitar-playing, as well as recording higher voices. The software that comes with it is also great for streaming since you can adjust the volume from various sources in your computer for optimal listening.
Having only one polar pattern doesn’t seem to hold back the Wave:3 in this regard. It’s also a nice touch that there’s the option to mute copyrighted music while streaming, which is a concern many streamers have. Overall, while the QuadCast has a lot to offer, the Wave:3 surpasses it in many use cases.
Features
Almost as important as the sound quality are the nifty features that are included. The built-in pop filter and shock mount of the QuadCast help to reduce unwanted background noise and keyboard sounds. The mute button on the top of the microphone is also handy and, oddly, a fairly uncommon feature.
A drawback of the QuadCast arises when you’re mounting it on a stand with the adapter plugged in; there isn’t much space between the microphone and the stand, which puts extra pressure on the cables. Since you’re likely to be using the QuadCast on a regular basis, the longevity of these cables is called into question.
The Wave:3 has some features of its own but, unfortunately, doesn’t do as good a job of reducing ambient noise. The stand doesn’t really help to cancel noise coming from your keyboard or desk, so a separate shock mount is recommended.
The clip guard does help to minimize distortion, so it’s useful when streaming. Volume is easy to adjust with the front dial, and tapping the microphone on the top acts as a mute button.
This one’s hard to call. The QuadCast does a better job at reducing background interference, but this is easily remedied by using a shock mount with the Wave:3. With either microphone, you’ll probably want to use a boom arm. The latter’s more effective at reducing distortion and tends to pick up higher frequencies better, as previously mentioned. All in all, it’s close, but this category goes to the Wave:3.
Design
Aesthetics are important to many, especially if you’re recording yourself on camera. Arguably, the build quality is also crucial for getting the most out of your microphone. The QuadCast seems to have more of a “gamer” look which will suit some users, but not others.
The red light glows whenever the microphone is on, which makes a statement. This can’t be adjusted, so if you’re not a fan of red, this may disappoint you. An alternative is the QuadCast S, which gives more color options at a higher price.
- Radiant red lighting with dynamic effects
- Tap-to-mute sensor with LED status indicator
- Four selectable polar patterns
- The versatile adapter fits 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threaded setups
Overall, the design of the Wave:3 is more understated but also features red lights around its front dial. Aside from this, the Wave:3 seems more elegant and is better suited for professional use. Both microphones feature a blend of hard plastic and metal and are fairly durable as a result.
The Quadcast wins out, though, since the Wave:3 is made of more plastic and lacks a weighted base. While the Wave:3 has a more muted design appropriate for more users, the durability is inferior to the QuadCast.
For gamers and those looking for the most robust microphone, the QuadCast is the better choice. But for those who don’t appreciate the gamer aesthetic, the Wave:3 offers a sleeker yet slightly heavier alternative.
Connectivity
There isn’t much of a difference concerning connectivity, except that the Wave:3 has a USB-C port while the QuadCast has a mini-USB port. Both have a headphone jack and the setup is as simple as plugging them in. However, neither microphone will work with an Xbox, since the console lacks USB support. This is something to bear in mind if you’re an Xbox gamer.
Output
Both microphones can reproduce frequencies quite well, but the QuadCast tends to do better with lower frequencies. As such, it’s usually better at picking up voices, particularly those of a deeper register.
On the other hand, the Wave:3 is better at recording higher frequencies and has a greater range overall. This makes it superior at picking up musical instruments.
This one really depends on what you intend to use your microphone for, as well as how deep your voice is. As a result, this category is a tie.
Price
As far as tech goes, neither microphone commands an extortionate cost, but it’s still something to consider when making a purchase. The Wave:3 tends to be available for a bit less than the QuadCast, by around $20 at the time of writing.
Sometimes, this is around $10 but, overall, the discrepancy isn’t huge. For the budget-conscious, this may be a dealbreaker, but you’ll likely want to consider other features before you make a decision regarding this.
Elgato Wave:3 Vs HyperX QuadCast: 9 Must-Know Facts
- The Wave:3 is available for a slightly lower price than the QuadCast.
- Overall, the sound quality of the Wave:3 is superior.
- The QuadCast picks up lower frequencies better, while the Wave:3 picks up higher frequencies better.
- The QuadCast has a gaming look, whereas the Wave:3’s design is more versatile.
- The QuadCast includes a shock mount, but the Wave:3 doesn’t.
- Neither microphone is compatible with Xbox.
- The QuadCast reduces background noise better, but the Wave:3 is more effective at minimizing distortion.
- The Wave:3 is better for recording music.
- The Wave:3 produces bigger audio files.
Elgato Wave:3 Vs HyperX QuadCast: Which One Is Better?
This is a tough one to call since both microphones excel at different uses. While the QuadCast is designed with gamers in mind, the Wave:3 is a smart choice for podcasters, streamers, content creators, and musicians. If you’re after a microphone for these uses and play games only occasionally, the Wave:3 is a good option. The software included is superior to the QuadCast.
If you’re after the best microphone for your gaming setup, the Quadcast pulls ahead. Although it may do a better job of recording interviews, it’s not really the best to use for these professional settings due to its appearance.
All things considered, both microphones are excellent choices, but the Wave:3 edges out the competition due to its better audio quality, more versatile design, great software, and slightly lower price point.
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- Elgato Wave:3
- Cardioid condenser capsule
- Wave link app
- 24-bit/96kHz analog-to-digital converter
- Proprietary Clipguard technology
- Superior circuitry
- HyperX QuadCast
- Radiant red lighting with dynamic effects
- Tap-to-mute sensor with LED status indicator
- Four selectable polar patterns
- The versatile adapter fits 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch threaded setups
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